Posted: Feb 24, 2024

Baseball: 2024 Preseason Preview

Head Coach

The Bethany College Baseball team will be under new leadership this season as Michael Finlan takes over the Bison heading into 2024. Finlan previously coached at Spalding University, acting as the pitching coach, where he led the Golden Eagles to a 3.60 team ERA.

Finlan comes to Bethany with high hopes for his first season as a head coach.

"I see this team competing for a conference championship," Finlan said. "The talent is there, and they want to be pushed and challenged to get the team to the next level."

The new head coach has brought a new culture to this team. They've had a tremendously productive and competitive Fall that has carried over into the new year. They are a much different team than they were a year ago and they have 40 games to prove it.

Starting Pitching

Games are won and lost on the backs of the starting pitchers. Bethany saw this firsthand last season when they struggled to keep conference games competitive with their starting pitching. The Bison would put together a team ERA of 6.50 and a team WHIP of 1.84.

"We have 6-7 guys that could start games for us." Finlan said. "I expect Trey Mantle, Zach Pressnell, and Christian Simmons to have a big year and be leaders on the pitching staff."

Mantle was the top arm for Bethany last season. He made nine starts and totaled 66.1 innings, good for first on the team. With 66 innings this season, Mantle can move into first in innings pitched in Bethany College history. The righty has been a top pitcher in the PAC for the length of his college career, totaling at least nine starts each year.

Pressnell flashed ace potential in his sophomore season, striking out 59 batters, the most in a single season since 1992. Unfortunately, a preseason elbow injury would halt any opportunity to build on that sophomore campaign. He would undergo elbow surgery in May. But the redshirt junior looks to come back this season and reintroduce himself in the PAC.

Simmons hasn't received as many opportunities in his college career to this point, but the senior righty has taken some significant strides over the last few months. To this point in his career, Simmons has totaled 35.1 innings, but he looks to pitch more than that in just this season. The righty looks to make his name known in the PAC with a successful 2024 season.

As a staff, this team has a lot of experience and a ton of potential. With the return of much of last year's staff, under the helm of a new head coach, this staff could surprise a ton of teams in the conference.

Relief Pitching

A strong bullpen is one of the more important pieces of a baseball team, especially in postseason play. The bullpen looks to be a dark horse for one of the stronger pieces of this 2024 Bethany team. Coach Finlan has seen multiple arms in the mid 80's with fastballs reaching as high as 88.

"We have a high number of guys I trust to go out and get the job done," Finlan said. "JT Hubert has been throwing at a high level and may be in a lot of different situations for us."

Hubert, just like Pressnell, would undergo elbow surgery in May. The hard throwing righty has rehabbed all the way back and looks to be a huge part of the Bison pitching staff, both in the bullpen and as a spot starter this season. His electric arsenal of pitches provides a challenge to any hitter that he faces.

Another name to watch in this Bethany bullpen is Payton Zupko. Zupko led the Bison in wins last season, earning each win out of the bullpen. The sophomore showed a ton of potential last season and with improved command, he could be among the PAC's better relief arms.

Zupko and Hubert will likely create a two headed monster at the back of Bethany baseball games. They will be joined by multiple other arms that get outs in many ways. This bullpen looks much improved than it's been over the last couple of years.

Catcher

Last season, the catcher position wasn't the most stable position for Bethany. Hayden Fox and Keith Berger were expected to be two of the top Bison catchers entering the season, but sophomore Izek Baldwin has emerged from the group, standing out in multiple different ways.

Finlan is expecting to use two catchers throughout the season though as he notes "It is a tough position to be able to stay explosive every single game."

Coach Finlan isn't shy to discuss why Baldwin has emerged from the group.

"Izek Baldwin has stepped up as leader and is one of the hardest workers I've coached," Finlan said.

Baldwin's emergence as a leader for the Bison has been a huge piece of the puzzle heading into the 2024 season. For years, the catcher position at Bethany has been one of the bigger leaders on the team. Izek looks to pick this role up heading into his sophomore campaign. Baldwin attributes this growth through his journey with God.

"When I focus on my life being with Christ, the nervousness disappears, the anxiety disappears, and my hard work begins to shine through," Baldwin said. "Focusing on things above and not earthly is what has allowed me to play with freedom."

Infield

Across the infield, the Bison have more depth than they know what to do with. Starting at first base, Josh Speaker has stepped up as a leader for Bethany. Speaker has trimmed a significant amount of weight following an offseason surgery in 2023.

"Josh Speaker is one of the leaders and has put in the work this offseason to have a big year," Finlan said.

Across the diamond at third base has seen a ton of shake up. Grant Schaffner, following shoulder surgery, has moved from third over to the right side of the infield. The Bison added a transfer, Sonny Peluchette, during the Winter break. Peluchette comes from Wheeling University and has added a polished bat and glove on the left side of the field.

"Sonny has been a big pickup for us," Finlan said. "He has a high motor to play the game at a fast pace and he's capable of playing multiple spots. He'll be in the mix in one way or another."

At shortstop, the battle has been intense between Devin Toothman and Tyler McKee. They've both shown serious potential for the Bison up the middle, but only one of them will be able to start at shortstop. They could each find their way in the lineup one way or another.

At second base, Finlan could use a ton of different options. Derek Black and Grant Schaffner have stood out, but the idea of moving McKee or Toothman to second is always in the picture. Finlan has plenty of depth on his hands and it's going to result in him making some tough decisions.

Outfield

In the outfield, Finlan inherits an All-PAC center fielder in Nick Roell. Roell was tremendous last season and has seen himself grow as a leader in the offseason.

"Nick Roell has done a great job as the leader of the outfield," Finlan said. "We have several guys that deserve a chance out there and whoever is swinging well will earn that spot."

The ability to stick Roell in center field will create a ton of options in the corner outfield spots. One of these spots is expected to be filled by the sophomore infielder Payton Zupko, who has seen a recent transition to the outfield. With his athleticism and big arm, Zupko has held his own in the outfield thus far. The corner outfield will be filled by whoever is swinging it at the time. Bethany has enough bats to fill this hole.

The Bison open their 2024 campaign on Sunday, Feb. 25 when they host Pitt-Bradford for a double-header at Bethany Park beginning at 1 pm.